Responsible for both hearing and balance, the ears are one of the bodies most sensitive systems and are susceptible to a wide range of ailments. Earaches are usually the result of an inflammation or infection that is either bacterial, viral, or fungal in nature and depending on the severity, can result in pain ranging from a mild but constant ache to excruciating throbbing. Earaches often simply go away on their own, but persistent symptoms such as; itching in the ear, redness or swelling of the outer ear, vertigo or dizziness, nausea, and fluid or pus discharge from the ear canal that are not treated can lead to serious problems, including permanent hearing loss. Some additional causes of middle and external ear infections are nasal allergies, inherited disorders, over production of earwax, or foreign matter irritating the ear canal.

A sore throat is not an illness; it is a symptom most often caused by viral infections, such as colds or flu. Your body’s immune system responds by producing antibodies and sending more white blood cells to the area to promote healing. This increase of white blood cells in the infected areas can cause redness, swelling, pain and enlargement of the lymph nodes. A persistent sore throat lasting for several days can be a symptom of infectious mononucleosis, for which there is no treatment; or it can be a bacterial infection such as streptococcus (strep throat) that usually requires an antibiotic to prevent complications.

Upper respiratory infections such as colds and flu can spread to the sinuses causing the lining and tissues to become inflamed and produce excess mucus in the nose. Symptoms of an infection can be a runny nose and congestion; frequent coughing and throat clearing; pain around the sinus areas; swelling of eyelids or pain behind the eyes; and painful headaches in front of the face, particularly around the eyes. Acute sinusitis is usually the result of a bacterial infection and is accompanied by fever, chills, and sometimes dental discomfort; while chronic sinusitis symptoms are usually a milder to persistent inflammation, which recur frequently.

Read related articles: Colds/Flu, Dental, Digestion, Headaches, Holistic Health, Pain.

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